U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette has been reappointed vice chairwoman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, a position that will give her significant sway over two of the biggest issues facing the next Congress — climate-change policy and health care reform.

DeGette’s fate as a senior member of the committee was uncertain under the new chairman, U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman. The Denver congresswoman was seen as a strong ally of outgoing chairman John Dingell, a Michigan Democrat aligned with the auto industry, and she voted against Waxman in the leadership fight.

Waxman “came to me on Tuesday and asked if I would stay on as vice chair,” DeGette said. “He said even though you supported Mr. Dingell in the race, I respect your ability to negotiate, and I respect your intelligence. It was a huge honor for me.”

“I am delighted that she has agreed, and I look forward to working with her on the important issues facing the Congress and the new administration,” Chairman Waxman, D-Calif., said in a release.

The committee will be key in Barack Obama’s multibillion dollar effort to reshape the country’s health care system. But the fact that the first full hearing of the committee next week will focus on climate change signals just how aggressively Waxman plans to pursue sweeping policy change by Congress in that area.

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